“Stacy!” I hissed, causing those in the room with us to giggle. “Shut up, please.”
“Fine!” She huffed, placing her head back on the table. “All I’m saying is we’re on vacation. There’s no harm in living a little.”
I knew what point Stacy was trying to make, and I appreciated her advocating for me to enjoy myself, but her true intention was to encourage me to get some dick. When the time was right, I would indulge but losing my virginity and having sex were not a priority. I wanted to give the most sacred part of me to a man who was deserving. I wanted a man who made me feel precious in his eyes, someone who would cherish my gift that took years of commitment and discipline. I had no desire to throw it at someone temporary who only wanted me as another conquest.
For two hours, I was rubbed down and kneaded. It was the best session I’d ever had in my life. I felt so light and relaxed that all I wanted to do was go to our room and go to sleep. As we made our way back to the front lobby, I was distracted by my mother sending the new headshots of my father, and I accidentally bumped into someone.
“Ooof!” I groaned as I heard my phone, as well as something else, fall to the ground. “I am so sorry.”
After bending over to get my phone, I examined it for cracks before standing back to my full height. I reached to get the other item that fell, but it was snatched from the floor before I could. Frowning, I came face-to-face with a really pretty woman. Her long braids cascaded around her shoulder, down to her wide hips, and I started to ask her if someone on the island had done them, but the scowl on her face was very telling.
She is mad.
“Watch where you’re going.” She eyed me up and down as she folded her arms. Her friend tried to pull her along, but she didn’t budge. “Next time, I won't be so nice.”
“Next time, you won’t do nothing but what you’re doing now, and that's getting the fuck outta my face. Move.” I mugged her back, bumping her shoulder as I walked past her. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are. I said I was sorry.”
Even though I felt it was my fault for running into her, I didn’t feel like her reaction was warranted. As Stacy and I walked away, I glanced over my shoulder, locking eyes with her, still scowling. Shrugging my shoulders, I chalked it up to her having a bad day and continued on my way.
“Come on, friend, before you get us locked up.” Stacy grabbed hold of my hand and led me outside. The hotel had plenty of restaurants and quick bites within walking distance, so I followed Stacy as she guided us in that direction. “Let’s grab a bite to eat so we can talk about fine nigga one and fine nigga two. It’s a good day to have an even better night.”
As we made our way over to one of the seafood huts, I decided I was going to let my hair down and enjoy my night with JJ. I deserved to be happy and have fun without thinking about the consequences of what I did to have the fun. I was sure it wouldn’t be too difficult, especially since my partner in crimewould be a handsome man who only had to breathe lightly for me to melt.
I hope I’m ready for you, Dr. McKnight.
Gripping my clutch for dear life, I stood in front of the fountain and waited patiently for JJ to appear. The closer it got to the time for us to have dinner, the more nervous I became. TJ was the only man I’d gone out with over the last few years, so this felt strange and wrong in a sense. It took Stacy cussing me out for me to get out of my head.
Listening to the raging fountain, I felt the moment the air shifted. My heart rate spiked as my breathing hitched. Goosebumps formed all over my body, and the instant his scent filled my nostrils, my knees grew weak.
“You looking for me?” he whispered in my ear as he placed his hands on my waist. Placing a small kiss behind my ear, his soft lips caused me to shiver. “Why are you so responsive to me?”
“I-I don’t know…” I moaned as he slid his finger across my exposed collarbone. I was putty in his hands already, and it was sad. “You just have that effect on me.”
A low chuckle left his mouth as he turned me around, and my eyes immediately locked on his. As always, his eyes were dark and mesmerizing. Shrinking under his stare, I decided to put some space between us. Looking him over, I couldn’t help but nibble at my bottom lip. Dressed in all black from head to toe, this man was beyond sexy. The diamonds on his neck, wrist, and ears were dancing under the dimmed lights in a way I had never seen. It was the smell of the Dior Sauvage that had me ready to risk it all.
For a moment, he said nothing as his eyes scanned my body. Tonight, I wanted to keep it sweet and sexy. The all-white, one-shoulder maxi dress was extremely risky. With one wrong move, the split going up my right thigh would expose my girl for all to see since underwear with this dress wasn’t an option. The back was exposed and dipped so low that my ass crack was almost visible. I never would have picked this out for myself, but Stacy left no room for argument.
“Let’s go have dinner before I end up eating you instead,” he said, catching me off guard.
Holding out his hand for me to take, I wasted no time accepting. He pulled me to him instantly, leading the way toward the steakhouse located on the resort property. As I followed alongside him in stride, I couldn’t help but steal glances at his face. His expression didn’t hold much emotion, but it was perfect in its natural state. From his bushy eyebrows to his plump lips, this man was a walking sin.
“Is this seat fine?” he asked, snapping me from my thoughts as we stopped in front of a booth.
I was so lost in his demeanor and attractiveness that I didn’t notice we’d entered the steakhouse or that the hostess had led us to our table. Glancing over at her, she, too, was mesmerized by JJ. Seeing her openly stare at him, not knowing if he was my man or not, pissed me off. JJ wasn’t mine, though, and I shouldn’t have been mad about her looking. That fact didn’t change that I was, and to prevent me from saying something outlandish, I dragged my eyes to him, finding his were trained on me.
“Or would you like to sit somewhere else? Go somewhere else?” he asked with a smirk emerging on his lips.
“I assure you, sir?—”
He held up his hand, shutting the hostess up immediately. I shifted on my feet because that one motion caused me to leakbelow. His eyes squinted slightly as heat began to rise up my neck and onto my face. Gripping his hand tightly, I willed myself to speak to stop the awkward silence.
“This is fine,” I spoke so quietly that I was surprised he had heard me. I mentally kicked myself because I needed to get a grip. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. Opening them, I squared my shoulders, looking back and forth between them both. “This table is great. Thank you.”
Giving us a quick nod, she placed our menus on the table and scurried away. After making sure I was comfortable in the booth, JJ slid in across from me, never taking his eyes off me.
“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?” He placed his chin on top of his fist, licking his lips. “Hands down, you’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Yes.” He arched his brow at me. My eyes widened at the implication. “I mean, yes, I’ve been told I’m pretty, not that I think I’m the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen. I mean, I know I’m cute, but…” Snapping my eyes shut, I shook my head and giggled. “Can we start over?” I opened them, and his expression was one of amusement. “How are you enjoying the trip?”
